Tie plate handling mechanism

Abstract

Present embodiments relate to one or more apparatus and method of handling tie plates for proper orientation. More specifically, but without limitation, the present embodiments relate to a method of handling tie plates, determining an orientation of the tie plate, and re-orienting the tie plate during the feeding process, if necessary.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tie plate handling mechanism, comprising:
 a feed conveyor;   a table in receiving communication with said feed conveyor, said table capable of receiving a tie plate from said feed conveyor;   said table operably connected to an actuator to move between a first position in which the tie plate is capable of being received and supported, and a second position in which the tie plate is unsupported;   a second actuator associated with said table, said second actuator being a motor that causes rotation of said tie plate between a first orientation and a second orientation, said second actuator moving a claw that engages the tie plate;   an angled transfer surface beneath said table which supports the tie plate in movement from a first elevation near said table to a second lower elevation.   
     
     
         2 . The tie plate handling mechanism of  claim 1 , said table receiving said tie plate in a first direction and releasing said tie plate in a second direction. 
     
     
         3 . The tie plate handling mechanism of  claim 2 , said table capable of changing the tie plate from said first orientation to said second orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The tie plate handling mechanism of  claim 3 , said table capable of rotating said tie plate about a vertical axis. 
     
     
         5 . The tie plate handling mechanism of  claim 1 , said table having a table top, said table top having a fixed portion and a movable portion. 
     
     
         6 . The tie plate handling mechanism of  claim 1  wherein said actuator is a linear actuator to move a portion of said table. 
     
     
         7 . The tie plate handling mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor to sense presence or absence of a tie plate shoulder. 
     
     
         8 . The tie plate handling mechanism of  claim 7 , further comprising a processor to receive input from said sensor and control said motor. 
     
     
         9 . The tie plate handling mechanism of  claim 1  wherein said feed conveyor moves said tie plate in a direction parallel with a major axis of said tie plate. 
     
     
         10 . A tie plate handling mechanism, comprising:
 a feed conveyor which feeds tie plates to a table in a first direction;   a sensor operably connected to a controller to determine an orientation of each tie plate of said tie plates;   a first actuator which rotates the tie plate, if determined to require rotation, from said orientation when said orientation differs from a desired orientation, said first actuator rotating a claw that engages and rotates said tie plate between said orientation and said desired orientation; and,   a second actuator which moves at least a portion of a table top, to drop the tie plate to a second, lower elevation to exit the table in a second direction.   
     
     
         11 . The tie plate handling mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising the controller which receives a signal from said sensor and controls movement of said first actuator and said second actuator. 
     
     
         12 . A method of handling a tie plate, comprising the steps of:
 feeding said tie plate to a table in a first orientation;   determining if said first orientation is a desired orientation or an undesired orientation;   rotating said tie plate if said first orientation is said undesired orientation with a first actuator that rotates a claw and said tie plate;   actuating a table top with a second actuator a movable portion of said table top to drop the tie plate to a second, lower elevation; and,   exiting said table in a direction that differs from a first entrance direction of said feeding.